The Early College Program is a competitive admissions program composed of a cohort of qualified high school rising juniors who are enrolled in a two-year associate degree program at Central Virginia Community College (CVCC).

https://centralvirginia.edu/early-college

Application information

• The Early College application is available on their website.
• Early College Program Applications are due to your school counselor by Feb. 21, 2025 (students are encouraged to apply early, to give teachers and school counselors time to complete your recommendations). *Website states Feb. 28, 2025 but LCS deadline is earlier.
• It is the student’s responsibility to check with teachers (for teacher recommendations) and school counselor to ensure that all application materials are received on or preferably prior to the deadline. Request recommendations at least two weeks in advance of the deadline.
• Completed applications are submitted and reviewed by the CVCC selection committee.
• In mid-March, decision letters are mailed and applicants are notified.

Admission Criteria

• Students must have a 3.0 or higher cumulative grade point average in order to apply.
• Students must apply to CVCC—acceptance to the college is not acceptance to the Early College Program. Students need to keep track of their SIS number (student identification number). The SIS number is received when students submit their application.
• Students must place into English Composition and Pre-Calculus at CVCC.

Evening Information Session for Prospective Students & Parents

An information session for interested students will be held at CVCC in Merritt Hall (1st floor, Multi-purpose Room) on TBD. 

Expenses

• Students and parents are responsible for the tuition. 
• LCS provides textbooks and transportation.  
• LCS provides opportunities for financial assistance. Please see your school counselor for more information on LCS financial assistance opportunities.   

 Other Information

• There is a prescribed curriculum that LCS students follow; all students take the same classes.  The Early College Program curriculum can be found in the High School Program of Studies .  
• Typically, students do not return to HHS for classes.  However, students have the option to take afternoon classes at HHS, especially if they have other high school graduation requirements to complete.  
• CVCC has its own academic calendar which might not be compatible with the LCS academic calendar and its own policies and procedures, which are independent from LCS.

The CTE Academy is for rising seniors that may be interested in programs such as electrical technology; health sciences; mechatornics; welding; industrial maintenance; and heating, ventilation and air conditioning. 

https://centralvirginia.edu/cte-academy

Application information

• If you have interest in the CTE Academy please fill out the CTE Academy Interest Form. The CTE coordinator at CVCC, Mr. Jason Clark, will reach out to you about the specific program you want to pursue.

Admission Criteria

• 12th grade (placed first) then 11th grade
• Pass Algebra 1
  • Health Science Pathways require a "C" in Algebra 2
• 2.0 or above GPA
  • Health Science Pathways require a 3.0 GPA
• Approval of School Counselor/CVCC Career Coach/High School Administration 

Other Information

• If you wish to schedule a tour of the CTE Academy, please reach out to your school counselor.

Central Virginia Governor's School for Science & Technology (CVGS) provides opportunities beyond the scope of normal high school curricula to gifted students interested in mathematics, science and technology.  CVGS is a half-day program for juniors and seniors housed at Heritage High School.

https://www.cvgs.k12.va.us

Application information

• CVGS applications are available on their website. Under the Admissions tab, you will find all of the documents needed for the application, including application, student record form, teacher recommendation forms (1 math, 1 science and 1 other teacher).
• Students must have completed or currently be enrolled in Advanced Geometry/Trigonometry and Advanced Chemistry.
• Applications are due to your school counselor by Feb. 21, 2025. (Tuition paying and non-resident students are not eligible to apply.)
• It is the student’s responsibility to check with teachers (for teacher recommendations) and school counselor to ensure that all application materials are received on or preferably prior to the deadline. Request recommendations at least two weeks in advance of the deadline.
• Completed applications are submitted and reviewed by a LCS selection committee.
• Late March/early April, notifications are mailed to accepted students, those on the waiting list, and those who were not selected.

Admission Criteria

• This is a highly selective program.
• The selection committee considers standardized test scores (PSAT/NMSQT scores), academic achievement, and demonstrated interest in science and mathematics when evaluating and ranking student applications.
• Students must have completed or currently be enrolled in Advanced Geometry/Trigonometry and Advanced Chemistry.

Information Session for Prospective Students & Parents

CVGS will host Program Overview Nights for prospective students and their parents on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025 from 7-9 p.m.

Expenses

The tuition for Lynchburg resident students accepted into this program is paid for by LCS.     

Other Information

• Students attend CVGS for the morning session and then report to their base school for classes (specifically English, social studies, and an elective or core course) in the late morning/early afternoon. A travel period is built into students’ schedules. 
• Since CVGS is a regional school, it has its own academic calendar which might not be compatible with the LCS academic calendar. The academic year for CVGS starts earlier than the LCS academic year. 

*Students in the 11th grade can apply to CVGS for their senior year, but there is no guarantee that space will be available.

The STEM Academy is a competitive application program for high school juniors and seniors interested in engineering, mechatronics, biotechnology, health science, and cybersecurity. The STEM Academy is a half-day program located on the campus of Central Virginia Community College (CVCC), with CVCC professors, where students take classes in math, science, and their specialty area classes.

http://www.xlr8academy.com

Application information

• STEM Academy applications are available on their website.  Under the Application and Admissions tab, you will find all of the documents needed for the application, including application, school counselor form, teacher recommendation forms (1 math, 1 science and 1 other teacher).
• The deadline for STEM Academy applications is Feb. 21, 2025.  It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that all materials are received by the STEM Academy by this date. 
• It is the student’s responsibility to check with teachers (for teacher recommendations) and school counselor to ensure that all application materials are received on or preferably prior to the deadline. Request recommendations at least two weeks in advance of the deadline. 
• Completed applications are submitted and reviewed by the STEM Academy selection committee.
• After May 1, notifications are mailed to accepted students, those on the waiting list, and those who were not selected.

Admission Criteria

• Students must apply to CVCC—acceptance to the college is not acceptance to the STEM Academy. Students need to keep track of their SIS number (student identification number). The SIS number is received when students submit their application.  

Information Session for Prospective Students & Parents

The STEM Academy will be holding its annual Information Session for prospective students and their parent(s)/guardian(s) on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 from 6-7:30 p.m.

Expenses

• The tuition for Lynchburg resident students accepted into this program is paid for by LCS.
• LCS provides textbooks and transportation.

Other Information

• Students attend STEM Academy for the morning session and then report to their base school for afternoon classes (specifically English, Social studies, and an elective or core course) for late morning/early afternoon. A travel period is built into students’ schedules.
• CVCC has its own academic calendar which might not be compatible with the LCS academic calendar.
• CVCC has their own policies and procedures, which are independent from LCS.

• Students apply to the Early College Program, Central Virginia Governor’s School (CVGS) and STEM Academy, in their 10th grade year for enrollment in their 11th and 12th grade years.
• Students can apply to all programs, but if accepted can only accept the offer of admission for one program.  
• To ensure that any of these programs are conducive to a student’s post-graduation plans, students and families are encouraged to contact the colleges/universities that they might be interested in applying to for their recommendation on the students’ preferred academic program.
• It is important for students to ensure that all application materials are received on or preferably prior to the application deadline.
• Students attend the STEM Academy and CVGS in the morning and then report to their base school for English, history/social studies and perhaps another course in late morning/early afternoon.
• It is recommended that teacher recommendations are from this year or your 9th grade year.
• According to the College Board, PSAT/NMSQT scores will be available online by Nov. 15, 2024. Students can sign up for a College Board account here, Create College Board Account.

Frequently Asked Questions